Area Businesses Advertise Winter Car Care Here

Published by admin on Tue, 11/03/2026 - 2:29pm

In this issue of the Grant County Review, readers will find ads from a variety of local businesses engaged in car sales, service, or repair because winter is just around the corner, and now is the time to prepare. Among them are Al’s Body Shop, Eastside Carwash, Mertens Auto, Milbank Collision, NAPA, Route 15 Bodyworks, and Twin Valley Tire.

Along with the products and services advertised in this issue, the following winter car care checklist is provided. It was gleened from the AAA website.

Battery and Charging System Have the battery and charging system tested by a trained technician. A fully charged battery in good condition is required to start an engine in cold weather.

Battery Cables and Terminals Make sure the battery terminals and cable ends are free from cor-

rosion and the connections are tight.

Drive Belts Inspect the underside of accessory drive belts for cracks or fraying. Many newer multi-rib “serpentine” belts are made of materials that do not show obvious signs of wear; replace these belts at 60,000-mile intervals.

Engine Hoses Inspect cooling system hoses for leaks, cracks, or loose clamps. Also, squeeze the

hoses and replace any that are brittle or have an excessively spongy feeling.

Tire Type and Tread In areas with heavy winter weather, installing snow tires on all four wheels will provide the best winter traction. All-season tires work well in light-to-moderate snow conditions provided they have adequate tread depth. Replace any tire that has less than 3/32-inches of tread. Uneven tire wear can indicate alignment, wheel balance or

suspension problems that must be addressed to prevent further tire damage.

Tire Pressure Check tire inflation pressure on all four tires and the spare more frequently in fall and

winter. As the average temperature drops, so will tire pressures – typically by one PSI for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Proper tire pressure levels can be found in the owner’s manual or on a sticker typically located on the driver’s side door jamb.

Air Filter Check the engine air filter by holding it up to a 60-watt light bulb. If light can be seen through much of the filter, it is still clean enough to work effectively. However, if light is blocked by most of the filter, replace it.

Coolant Levels Check the coolant level in the overflow tank when the engine is cold. If the level

is low, add a 50/50 solution of coolant and water to maintain the necessary antifreeze capability. Test the antifreeze protection level annually with an inexpensive tester available at any auto parts store.

Lights Check the operation of all headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, emergency flashers

and back-up lights. Replace any burnt out bulbs.

Wiper Blades The blades should completely clear the glass with each swipe. Replace any blade that

leaves streaks or misses spots. In regions where snow is common, consider installing winter wiper

blades that wrap the blade frame in a rubber boot to reduce ice and snow buildup that can prevent good contact between the blade and the glass.

Washer Fluid Fill the windshield washer fluid reservoir with a winter cleaning solution that has antifreeze components to prevent it from freezing.

Brakes If there is any indication of a brake problem, have the system inspected by a certified technician to ensure all components are in good working order.

Transmission, Brake and Power Steering Fluids Check all fluids to ensure they are at or above the minimum safe levels.

Emergency Road Kit Carry an emergency kit equipped for winter weather. The kit should include:

Mobile phone pre-program-

med with rescue apps and important phone numbers including family and emergency services, and car charger; drinking water; first-aid kit; non-perishable snacks for both human and pet passengers; bag of abrasive material (sand, salt, cat litter) or traction mats; snow shovel; blankets; extra warm clothing (gloves, hats, scarves); flashlight with extra batteries; window washer solvent; ice scraper with brush; cloth or roll of paper towels; jumper cables; warning devices (flares or triangles), basic toolkit (screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrench).